Third melanoma

Hi Sara,

I also have DNS,and can relate to your experience .  I have had 9 primaries  to date ,and not one of them looked like the classic  pictures  of melanoma  either. Out of the 9, 7 were found by me. I have learned to push for biopsies on what I feel  to be changing , or new lesions , even when whoever  is looking  at it thinks it's nothing  to worry  about .  After nine wide excisions  I   have a pretty  good idea of what is "normal  " for me.  None of my practitioners  have seen anything  like I am producing  either.

I have had to change dermatologist  before , as one wouldn't  remove  what I wanted off,and that's fine. If they won't  work with you,find someone  who will. It sounds like you have that in place though. I actually  get more biopsies  done these days from my nurse practitioner , who knows me well. When I call her and say I need a biopsy , or two, it's done within a few days , and if need be I'm on the surgeons  table a few days  after that. So having someone  who knows  you,and will listen to you is crucial  on this road. I still go to a dermatologist every few months , but in between  visits  with new lesions  coming up,I'm quick to get to my NP.  Also   the nearest  dermatologist  that accepts  my insurance  is on a different  island , so it's not very convenient  to fly over for to Oahu for a biopsy  when I can get that where I live.

Aloha , 

Bob

Hi Sara,

I also have DNS,and can relate to your experience .  I have had 9 primaries  to date ,and not one of them looked like the classic  pictures  of melanoma  either. Out of the 9, 7 were found by me. I have learned to push for biopsies on what I feel  to be changing , or new lesions , even when whoever  is looking  at it thinks it's nothing  to worry  about .  After nine wide excisions  I   have a pretty  good idea of what is "normal  " for me.  None of my practitioners  have seen anything  like I am producing  either.

I have had to change dermatologist  before , as one wouldn't  remove  what I wanted off,and that's fine. If they won't  work with you,find someone  who will. It sounds like you have that in place though. I actually  get more biopsies  done these days from my nurse practitioner , who knows me well. When I call her and say I need a biopsy , or two, it's done within a few days , and if need be I'm on the surgeons  table a few days  after that. So having someone  who knows  you,and will listen to you is crucial  on this road. I still go to a dermatologist every few months , but in between  visits  with new lesions  coming up,I'm quick to get to my NP.  Also   the nearest  dermatologist  that accepts  my insurance  is on a different  island , so it's not very convenient  to fly over for to Oahu for a biopsy  when I can get that where I live.

Aloha , 

Bob

Hi Sara,

I also have DNS,and can relate to your experience .  I have had 9 primaries  to date ,and not one of them looked like the classic  pictures  of melanoma  either. Out of the 9, 7 were found by me. I have learned to push for biopsies on what I feel  to be changing , or new lesions , even when whoever  is looking  at it thinks it's nothing  to worry  about .  After nine wide excisions  I   have a pretty  good idea of what is "normal  " for me.  None of my practitioners  have seen anything  like I am producing  either.

I have had to change dermatologist  before , as one wouldn't  remove  what I wanted off,and that's fine. If they won't  work with you,find someone  who will. It sounds like you have that in place though. I actually  get more biopsies  done these days from my nurse practitioner , who knows me well. When I call her and say I need a biopsy , or two, it's done within a few days , and if need be I'm on the surgeons  table a few days  after that. So having someone  who knows  you,and will listen to you is crucial  on this road. I still go to a dermatologist every few months , but in between  visits  with new lesions  coming up,I'm quick to get to my NP.  Also   the nearest  dermatologist  that accepts  my insurance  is on a different  island , so it's not very convenient  to fly over for to Oahu for a biopsy  when I can get that where I live.

Aloha , 

Bob

P.S.

My surgeon  gave me some good advice  about the DNS…."surveillance , surveillance , surveillance . ….and biopsy  anything  that even thinks of changing!" It's what I live by these days .  Even with hundreds  of  spots to monitor , some just grab your  attention . ..and those gotta go. 

Sounds to me like you are doing just that. Stay vigilant ! 

Bob

P.S.

My surgeon  gave me some good advice  about the DNS…."surveillance , surveillance , surveillance . ….and biopsy  anything  that even thinks of changing!" It's what I live by these days .  Even with hundreds  of  spots to monitor , some just grab your  attention . ..and those gotta go. 

Sounds to me like you are doing just that. Stay vigilant ! 

Bob

P.S.

My surgeon  gave me some good advice  about the DNS…."surveillance , surveillance , surveillance . ….and biopsy  anything  that even thinks of changing!" It's what I live by these days .  Even with hundreds  of  spots to monitor , some just grab your  attention . ..and those gotta go. 

Sounds to me like you are doing just that. Stay vigilant ! 

Bob

Hi – I only count two melanomas, both in situ – 'pre cancer' means nothing, it's either in situ melanoma or it's not. Anyway, you are not alone – plenty of MRF MPIPers have had more than one thin melanoma – Janner for one, myself for another. Both of your melanomas have been in situ with NO repeat NO metastatic potential. This is great news! Best option: no melanoma. Second best: in situ. Be positive!

Your action plan, gold standard:

regular skin checks – done!

watch for change – done!

watch your mind for unhelpful thinking/consider counselling for anxiety – not done – maybe something for you to consider.

You could at a certain point request genetic testing to see if you have some high probability of continually developing melanoma – but if you can explain your melanoma through childhood sun exposure (which I can), then why bother? Janner has had this testing and (I hope I'm not wrong) she is not a huge advocate for it because it doesn't really change the game plan at all.

You really are on top of this situation. It's not an ideal situation but it's the cross we bear. For peace of mind, go get a second opinion/2nd full skin check – this will give you EITHER peace of mind OR a conclusive idea about the need to change to another doctor/derm.

Hi – I only count two melanomas, both in situ – 'pre cancer' means nothing, it's either in situ melanoma or it's not. Anyway, you are not alone – plenty of MRF MPIPers have had more than one thin melanoma – Janner for one, myself for another. Both of your melanomas have been in situ with NO repeat NO metastatic potential. This is great news! Best option: no melanoma. Second best: in situ. Be positive!

Your action plan, gold standard:

regular skin checks – done!

watch for change – done!

watch your mind for unhelpful thinking/consider counselling for anxiety – not done – maybe something for you to consider.

You could at a certain point request genetic testing to see if you have some high probability of continually developing melanoma – but if you can explain your melanoma through childhood sun exposure (which I can), then why bother? Janner has had this testing and (I hope I'm not wrong) she is not a huge advocate for it because it doesn't really change the game plan at all.

You really are on top of this situation. It's not an ideal situation but it's the cross we bear. For peace of mind, go get a second opinion/2nd full skin check – this will give you EITHER peace of mind OR a conclusive idea about the need to change to another doctor/derm.

Hi – I only count two melanomas, both in situ – 'pre cancer' means nothing, it's either in situ melanoma or it's not. Anyway, you are not alone – plenty of MRF MPIPers have had more than one thin melanoma – Janner for one, myself for another. Both of your melanomas have been in situ with NO repeat NO metastatic potential. This is great news! Best option: no melanoma. Second best: in situ. Be positive!

Your action plan, gold standard:

regular skin checks – done!

watch for change – done!

watch your mind for unhelpful thinking/consider counselling for anxiety – not done – maybe something for you to consider.

You could at a certain point request genetic testing to see if you have some high probability of continually developing melanoma – but if you can explain your melanoma through childhood sun exposure (which I can), then why bother? Janner has had this testing and (I hope I'm not wrong) she is not a huge advocate for it because it doesn't really change the game plan at all.

You really are on top of this situation. It's not an ideal situation but it's the cross we bear. For peace of mind, go get a second opinion/2nd full skin check – this will give you EITHER peace of mind OR a conclusive idea about the need to change to another doctor/derm.